Manila – Bangkok – Karachi – Beirut – Rome – Zurich – Hamburg – London

On January 14, 1954 at 11:50 AM, Manila – Bangkok – Karachi – Beirut – Rome – Zurich – Hamburg – London experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-6, operated by Philippine Airlines - PAL, with the event recorded near Rome-Ciampino Lazio.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

16 people were known to be on board, 16 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 7, crew fatalities: 7, passengers on board: 9, passenger fatalities: 9, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is weather. On final approach to Rome-Ciampino Airport, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions. While descending through clouds at an altitude of 6,500 feet, the crew informed ground about fire on right engine. It is believed that both right engines were on fire at this time. The pilot-in-command reduced his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing when, at a height of 650 feet, the airplane plunged into the earth and crashed in a huge explosion in a field located about six km east of Ciampino Airfield. The four engine aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 16 occupants have been killed. A crater was seen at the point of impact and debris were scattered on a wide area.

Aircraft reference details include registration PI-C294, MSN 42902, year of manufacture 1947.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 41.7995°, 12.5913°.